Charged

Englishtown Police Chief Charged with Criminal Offenses

Englishtown police chief charged with criminal offenses - photo licensed by shore news network.

Englishtown Police Chief Charged with Criminal Offenses

**FREEHOLD, NJ** – The Englishtown Chief of Police faces criminal charges following an investigation announced by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago on Tuesday.

Chief Peter S. Cooke, aged 58, has been charged with third-degree Computer Theft and third-degree Conspiracy to Commit Shoplifting. The investigation, led by the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit, uncovered that between February 2019 and August 2023, Cooke misused a law-enforcement database to access personal information about two individuals without a lawful purpose.

Additionally, it was revealed that Cooke, while on administrative leave, assisted a co-conspirator in committing multiple shoplifting incidents at a local grocery store during August and September. The charges against Cooke were served earlier this month, with proceedings set to occur in Monmouth County Superior Court.

MCPO Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Professional Responsibility Unit, is prosecuting the case. Debbie Simon, based in West Orange, represents Cooke. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, with all rights afforded by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

Queens Man Charged with Staging Dangerous Car Crash

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Title: Queens Man Charged with Staging Dangerous Car Crash

**Queens, NY** – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced charges against Maikel Martinez for allegedly staging a motor vehicle accident and reckless endangerment. The incident on the Belt Parkway involved a car reportedly driven by Martinez cutting off another vehicle, resulting in a collision.

On October 16, at approximately 11:11 a.m., Asphia Natasha was driving with her vehicle’s dashboard cameras recording the incident. A silver Honda Civic cut in front of her car before abruptly reversing into it. The occupants allegedly obstructed the view with a tarp, switched seats, and left the vehicle shortly after the collision.

Four individuals exited the Honda, including a man who identified himself as Maikel Martinez, claiming his wife was the driver. Another unidentified man and woman exited the vehicle, with one later entering a red Kia that had followed Natasha’s car.

Martinez, 28, of Dyker Heights, was arraigned Thursday night on multiple charges. Criminal Court Judge Jerry Iannece has scheduled his next court appearance for January 7, 2025. Martinez faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, and the investigation is ongoing.

Teen Driver Charged in Utica Pedestrian Crash

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Teen Driver Charged in Utica Incident

**Utica, NY** – On Wednesday at approximately 3:15 PM, a collision involving a motor vehicle was reported on the 400 block of Blandina Street in Utica. Utica Police and Fire units responded to the scene after an altercation led to a vehicle striking multiple individuals.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered several people with injuries from the incident, which stemmed from a series of altercations throughout the day. A 17-year-old female driver allegedly drove her vehicle into the crowd, with four people reportedly struck. The victims’ injuries were serious but not life-threatening.

The investigation led authorities to identify and locate the suspect and the vehicle in Frankfort. Following the collection of medical documentation and witness statements, the teenager was charged with various offenses.

The charges include two counts of attempted assault in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, attempted assault in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.

Suspect Charged with Arson for Bensalem Fire

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Arson Conspiracy Conviction Announced

**Bensalem, PA** – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced the conviction of Ramiz Duka, a 61-year-old resident of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, for conspiracy to commit arson nearly two years after a commercial building fire.

Trial evidence showed that Duka organized a plan with two men to set ablaze a warehouse at 1388 Bridgewater Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He paid them $15,000 for this illegal act. Over weeks, the conspirators held meetings to strategize the arson.

The fire was ignited by one of the recruited men on December 10, 2022. During firefighting efforts, Firefighter Nicholas Altomare was seriously injured in a ladder collapse. He temporarily left work but has since returned after recovery. The fire resulted in close to $6 million in damages.

At sentencing, Duka faces a prison term ranging from a mandatory minimum of five years to a maximum of 20 years. Authorities extended appreciation to volunteer firefighters, including Altomare, and other agencies involved in tackling the arson case.

Man Charged with Bank Fraud in Utica

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Man Charged with Bank Fraud in Utica, NY

**Utica, NY** – The Utica Police Department was alerted by a local bank on October 17 regarding multiple bad checks issued by a current customer. The fraudulent activity forced the bank to close the individual’s account to avoid further misuse.

Following the report, the case was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. The investigator discovered that at least 22 checks, totaling over $4,300, had been written without sufficient funds in the accounts.

On the following Wednesday, officials from the Warrants Unit approached the suspect, Nicholas Cavalier, age 55 and resident of Utica. Subsequently, on Thursday, he was charged with the first-degree Scheme to Defraud.